Bicycling
Bikers can enjoy over 100 miles of paved bicycle trails and over 200 miles of multi-use trails in the Forest Preserve. Please take note of our Rules of the Trail before your visit.
Following is information regarding each of our eight (six paved) bike trails, including detailed maps of each trail, available in Adobe® Acrobat™ PDF format for downloading:
Bikeway Classifications
CLASS I BIKEWAY
A Class I Bikeway is a completely separated right-of-way designed to be shared with pedestrians. The standard pavement width of a Class I Bikeway is eight (8) feet. The typical right-of-way width is ten (10) feet.
Class I Bikeways are considered ideal. They are usually located on publicly owned land such as parks, school sites, watersheds, or road right-of-way.
CLASS II BIKEWAY
Class II Bikeways are four foot wide on-street right-of-way designated for the use of bicycles. Class II paths are designated by a painted line on the roadway pavement on each side of the street. Parking is usually allowed. Class II bikeways are best suited for streets that have a minimum width of 32 feet, with each traffic lane measuring at least twelve (12) feet. The standard bicycle lane width measured from the front edge of curb to the painted boundary should be four (4) feet.
CLASS III BIKEWAY
On a Class III bikeway, the cyclist shares the street with motor vehicles and the route is designated only by signs. Class III Bikeways are suited for roads less than 28 feet wide in areas with light traffic.
Rules of the Trail
BICYCLE USERS:
- Ride single file, keeping to the right of the trail.
- Stay in your own lane.
- Give warning before passing other trail users.
- Obey all stop signs.
- WALK all bicycles down overpasses where designated.
NO SPEED OR RACING PERMITTED
Violaters will be ticketed.
WALKERS & JOGGERS:
Use the left side of the trail, facing on-coming bicycle traffic.
Multi-Use Trail Rules
- Bicyclists and equestrians must stay on the designated trail. No off-trail riding.
- Be courteous to other trail users. Bicyclists yield to hikers and equestrians. Hikers yield to equestrians. Give notice before passing other trail users.
- Do not ride on unpaved trails when the trail is muddy.
- Motor vehicles prohibited.
- Recreational use only. No speed training.
- All trails are two-way. Stay in your lane. Give notice before passing other trail users.
- Don’t litter. Please pack out more than you pack in.
- For rider’s safety, helmets are suggested.
WATCH FOR THE FOLLOWING SIGNS:
- Trail Confidence Marker — These 4' x 4' gray markers identify the designated trail system at 1/4 mile intervals. Stay on the designated trail.
- Trail Closure Marker — These 4' x 4' orange markers identify non-designated trails which are closed.
Before Planning a Special Event
Permission is required for all special events to be held on the bicycle trail involving more than 25 persons. For further information, call the FPDCC at (708) 366-9420.
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